![]() In summary, if you currently have a UTI, skip the cranberry altogether and schedule an appointment with your doctor instead. 5 UTI prevention tips you might try instead You'll need to be sure that it doesn't impact any health conditions you may have or interfere with medications you're taking. And always consult your doctor before starting any supplement. If you do decide to regularly drink cranberry juice for UTI prevention, however, be sure to choose unsweetened cranberry juice from among the many blends containing substantial amounts of added sugar. Just know that there isn't necessarily a benefit either. Still, while the science doesn't seem to be there, there's likely no harm in using cranberry products to try to prevent a UTI. Without an effective dose, a cranberry product is even less likely to prevent bacteria from sticking to urinary tract linings. In some cases, the amount may not be enough. But they contain differing amounts of proanthocyanidins. Supplemental formulations of cranberry, including tablets and powders, might be more palatable than sour-tasting cranberry juice. This suggests that the frequency or amount of cranberry juice needed to achieve this small benefit may not be sustainable for many people. ![]() Makes sense in theory, but what about in practice? Is cranberry juice really an effective way to prevent a UTI? Some studies show a small benefit, while most show none at all.įor instance, a review of 24 large studies investigating cranberry products for UTIs concluded that neither juice nor supplements significantly reduce a person's risk of experiencing an infection.Īnd even in the few smaller studies that have shown some UTI prevention benefit for cranberry products - cranberry juice, primarily - it's important to note that many participants dropped out or ultimately failed to comply. If bacteria can't stick, they're likely to get flushed away the next time you use the bathroom instead. One prominent theory is that a substance in cranberries, called proanthocyanidins, might help prevent UTI-causing bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder and other urinary tract linings. This means you need to visit your doctor if you already have an infection.Īs for whether cranberries can prevent a UTI from developing in the first place, the evidence is mixed, and the exact mechanism by which they might help isn't totally clear either. No studies have shown that drinking cranberry juice or taking a cranberry supplement actually works to treat UTIs. Regardless, how might cranberry juice be of use against UTIs?įor starters, the bad news is that cranberry products likely don't help with a UTI once it's already developed. Or maybe you just want to take some sort of immediate action to relieve your symptoms as you wait to see your doctor. Maybe you're looking for a way to avoid taking antibiotics. ![]() If you can't stand the sour taste of cranberry juice, you might be thinking about trying a cranberry pill or tablet instead.īut can cranberries, whether the fruit itself, juice or a supplement, actually help relieve or prevent UTI symptoms? Cranberry juice for a UTI: Does it really work? In fact, maybe the only reason you even stock the juice in the fridge is because you get such infections often - or when you feel one coming on. So if you get them frequently, you're likely looking for ways to prevent the next one.Ĭranberry juice is a classic UTI home remedy. The chance of a UTI cropping up again within six months falls just shy of 25% for women between the ages of 18 and 40. What's more, UTI recurrence can be fairly common too. Having to deal with these symptoms is common, especially for women. UTI symptoms aren't just inconvenient and annoying, they're downright uncomfortable - with notable ones including a frequent urge to urinate and a burning sensation, or even pain, as you do. If you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), you want it gone ASAP.
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